AutoFlight and Hefei City recently signed a project collaboration agreement to develop Hefei’s urban air traffic system and to supply a fleet of AutoFlight’s eVTOL aircraft, reports a press release. This includes plans for the company’s new East China operational hub in Feixi County.
Hefei is to buy multiple examples of both the cargo and 5‑seat passenger aircraft. These acquisitions will enable the development of air logistics networks, emergency response capabilities, aerial sight-seeing and advanced air mobility services both inside the city and inter-city, supporting Hefei’s strategic goals for its low-altitude economy (LAE).
The release states, “The partnership also includes AutoFlight establishing its East China regional headquarter in Hefei’s Feixi County. This new facility will house final assembly operations, testing facilities, sales offices and training centres.”
Hefei has established itself as a leading low-altitude pilot city through supportive policies and innovative air traffic management experiences. The city’s approach to developing its LAE capabilities has become a model for urban centres across China.
AutoFlight’s independently developed cargo CarryAll has secured, to date, both TC Type Certificate and PC Production Certificate globally. The Airworthiness Certification process for the 5‑seat passenger version, Prosperity, is expected to be completed in 2026. AutoFlight is backed by CATL (a leading Chinese battery developer) and major financial investment.
Meanwhile, the company is developing a new manufacturing facility in Wuhan’s Hanyang District, establishing its first presence in Central China.
A cooperative framework is being created for a demonstration zone for China’s LAE, to support a greater advancement in this emerging economic sector. The Wuhan facility will serve as both an assembly base and exhibition centre, handling aircraft final assembly, ground testing, flight testing, sales and service, delivery and product showcases.
AutoFlight is to actively participate in developing Wuhan’s LAE and collaborate on initial demonstrations of specialised operations and future passenger services in the city.
Through this partnership, AutoFlight “aims to accelerate production scale-up and commercial deployment of its large eVTOL aircraft,” explains the release. “The collaboration will facilitate demonstration projects showcasing innovative applications in aerial firefighting, emergency response operations, air logistics, and other relevant fields.”
At the recent opening ceremony, Wang Xunan, President of the China United Nations Procurement Promotion Association, announced that Hanyang Investment Development Group (HIDG) has officially been designated as the first registered supplier of eVTOL aircraft for United Nations procurement. HIDG will also support AutoFlight’s international market expansion through the “Belt and Road” cross-border supply chain.
The release continues, “This collaboration will facilitate the distribution of the company’s eVTOLs to Central Asian markets and other regions, while establishing cross-border operational partnerships between China and European countries.”
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